FSM Information Services
Press Release
President Panuelo, via Santa 32, Delivers Presents to Mogmog & Fassari; 56 Islands to Receive Gifts in Operation Christmas Drop 2019
TUMON, Guam—On December 10th, 2019, His Excellency David W. Panuelo—President of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM)—climbed aboard Santa 32, a U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules, with the intention of spreading Christmas cheer to the people of Mogmog and Fassari, islands within Ulithi Atoll itself within the FSM State of Yap. The President’s mission was part of the broader 2019 annual iteration of Operation Christmas Drop. Joining the President were Rear Admiral John V. Menoni, Commander of Joint Region Marianas, and His Excellency Robert A. Riley III, Ambassador of the United States of America to the FSM.
Operation Christmas Drop is the longest running Humanitarian Assistance operation in the U.S. Department of Defense. Since its origins in 1952 with the first drop in Kapingamarangi Atoll in the contemporary FSM State of Pohnpei, the United States Air Force annually leads a combined effort that deploys U.S. and other allied nation aircraft to conduct airdrop operations to deliver Christmas gifts to the people and communities of the remote outer islands of the FSM. This year, military aircraft from the Royal New Zealand Air Force joined the Japan Air Self-Defense Force and the Royal Australian Air Force in the Christmas Drop effort.
56 islands throughout the FSM, the Republic of Palau, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands will be participating recipients in the 68th Operation Christmas Drop. Approximately 20,000 individuals will directly benefit from receiving gifts.
The annual exercise is truly a win-win situation for all parties involved. The pilots are able to strengthen their capacity in performing humanitarian aid and disaster relief operations by executing low-cost, low-altitude airdrops in unsurveyed drop zones. The citizens of the FSM, by contrast, are able to enjoy the collective demonstration of the U.S., Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and other allied nations’ commitment to extending peace, friendship, cooperation, and love in our common humanity in the form of much appreciated supplies and materials.
The 2019 and 68th annual Operation Christmas Drop will see 220,000 fish hooks, 310 miles of fishing line, and 26,500 pounds of rice delivered to the remote outer islands of the Nation, in addition to clothing, toys, educational materials, and more.
Prior to the President’s sojourn to Mogmog and Fassari on December 10th, on December 9th the President was welcomed at Andersen Air Force Base for the “Push” Ceremony. This ceremony included commentary from Ambassador Riley and distinguished U.S. military officials, including Colonel Otis Jones, Commander of the 374th Airlift Wing, and Colonel Matthew Nicholson, Vice Commander of the 36th Wing. The Push Ceremony concluded with President Panuelo joining Ambassador Riley, Colonel Jones, Colonel Nicholson, and the Honorable Douglas W. Domenech, Assistant Secretary at the U.S. Department of Interior, literally pushing a box of gifts and supplies into a C-130 Hercules.
“On behalf of the people and Government of the [FSM],” President Panuelo said in a statement, “We are so humbled, honored, and grateful for the continuation of Operation Christmas Drop. I give my heartfelt appreciation to all of the organizers, the countries and organizations involved. When we say that the FSM and the U.S. share a special and enduring relationship, Operation Christmas Drop is one of the ways that we turn those words into actions. When we say that the U.S. is our first and foremost ally, it’s predicated in part on our awareness, knowledge, and gratitude to the continuing contributions of the U.S. Government and Americans to our Nation-building process.”
President Panuelo advised that flying low-altitude just above the coconut trees, and seeing the effort involved in Operation Christmas Drop, and the people gathering when they see the boxes come down was heartwarming—a true demonstration of “love from above.”
The FSM National Government acknowledges that, while Operation Christmas Drop is made possible by the numerous contributions of time, energy, and resources by thousands of people, one individual in particular has played, and continues to play, an outsized role in its implementation. It is for that reason that, through this Press Release, the FSM National Government extends its very sincere thanks and appreciation to Bruce Best. A former U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer, Mr. Best continues to implement Peace Corps’ second and third goals of helping to promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of Micronesians, and to help promote a better understanding of Micronesians on the part of Americans.
“This is one of the reasons why it’s so important that we begin and complete negotiations on our Compact of Free Association sooner rather than later,” the President continued. “I’m so moved by the additions of Australia, Japan, and New Zealand to this wonderful expression of our shared values, and I want to see Operation Christmas Drop expand even further in the years to come.”
